...Diana Frias LACS 271 Professor Almendros March 23,2014 The chagas disease The spread of the chagas disease is most common in places of greater poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean. The chagas disease is a parasitic disease named after the Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas who discovered it in 1909. It is spread to animals and people through a bite of an infected insect named triatomine bugs or “kissing bugs” that carry the parasite known as Trypanosoma cruzi (Boston College). The triatomine insect feeds on the blood a mammal infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, ingesting the parasite. The insect then becomes infected and now moves on to bite a human transferring the parasite. As the insect bites, it releases its feces near the site of the bite wound allowing the parasite to enter the victim. The parasite then invades the first cells it comes in contact with. They use the victim cells to multiply then releasing itself into the victim bloodstream where they will then continue to multiple and spread into different areas in the body. There are many other ways in which the disease can be spread. For example, infections occur from mother to baby, through contaminated blood transfusions, organ transplant from an infected donor and rarely though contaminated food or drinks (FAQs). Symptoms do not show immediately after being bitten by the triatomine bug. It takes from five days to two weeks for slight symptoms to show. Some symptoms are mild fever with body ache and swelling...
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...Study #3 Trachoma and Chagas are tropical diseases that have been successfully treated through health efforts by the government and different organizations. Trachoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world but is the number one preventable blindness. Trachoma is caused by transmission of eye and nose secretions, unsanitary conditions and flies. Chagas affects sixteen to eighteen million people in Latin America. Chagas is caused by kissing bugs transferring a parasitic infection into the host. Areas of poor socioeconomic status are typically the targets of these tropical diseases. The majority affected are young children. Trachoma loses an estimate of three billion dollars’ worth of potential productivity lost while Chagas is about four hundred million. The efforts implemented to prevent these diseases are estimated to be about seventy percent successful. Trachoma uses the strategy SAFE which stands for surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental safeness. Chagas uses vector control which is a pyrethroid insecticide around areas of infected. The strategy of SAFE for Trachoma is very cost-effective costing about six dollars a person for surgery. The strategy for Chagas, pyrethroid insecticide, cost about thirty seven dollars for infected zones. Both of these strategies are very cost-effective for a large range of affected population. There are current and ongoing research of cost-effective ways for both Chagas and Trachoma. The government...
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...EMBA Winter 2016 SMO 860: Management of Technology and Innovation April ,07,2016 Case Analysis: Genzyme’s CSR Dilemma: How to Play Its HAND Marcio Augusto da Matta augustod@ualberta.ca Dr. Anthony R. Briggs ------------------------------------------------- 1. Introduction Genzyme is a biotechnology company with a leading role in the world’s treatment for Orphan and neglected diseases. At the moment its Senior VP, Mr. Geragthy faces a time for decisions. The analysis momentum is over and he must propose the best direction for the company. I will go deeply inside the company and analyse the inside and outside scenario to be able to run the VRIO model and give my preference to Mr. Geragthy. 2. Genzyme’s history All started with the supply of enzymes, fine chemicals and reagents to research and pharmaceutical companies. Its founder, Mr. Henry Blair since the beginning had a vision to become a world leader and always focused by identifying patient’s needs, targeting a focused technology capability, and developing a set of values that clearly defined its role as a corporation society. Since the beginning the strategy was on orphaned diseases and it reflected in its portfolio of drugs and achieving the leadership with revenues of almost $4 billion in 2007. In 1983 Mr. Blair felt the need for help and brought on board Mr. Henri Termeer who had a very important role on the company’s development and together they have taken the company public...
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...“TOXOPLASMOSIS” (toxoplasma gondii) Definition: Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. The infection is most commonly acquired from contact with cats and their feces or with raw or undercooked meat. Causative Agent: Toxoplasma Gondii, protozoan Means of Transmission: Orally and congenitally Reservoirs: Cats (preferred reservoir), birds and mammals (intermediate host), Humans (intermediate host) Diagnosis: "Fecal exams [in cats] are essentially useless, since the eggs they shed are only present in the feces for the first 2-3 weeks" (1). "The current lab test only indicates exposure to toxoplasmosis not the presence of an active infection." (1). "The history, signs of illness, and the supportive laboratory tests" will lead to a diagnosis (2). "A presumptive diagnosis may be made by demonstration of a fourfold or greater increase in antibody titers" (2). The uses of ELISA, western blot and latex agglutination tests have reliable results (4). Mainly the only people that really need to be tested for this disease are AIDS patients, immunosuppressed, and infants at birth. Symptoms: "Respiratory involvement is common in cats with both primary and secondary forms of the disease" (1). Fever, malaise, weight loss, and lack of appetite are common symptoms of this form (1). You have these symptoms in addition to vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal lymph node enlargement (1). Signs of Disease: The disease can become latent. All...
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...Biting Midges : The Ceratopogonidae (biting midges) include serious blood-sucking pests, feeding both on humans and other mammals. Some of them spread the livestock diseases blue tongue and African horse sickness,other species though, are at least partly nectar feeders and some actually suck insect bodily fluids (Alan Weaving; Mike Picker; Griffiths, Charles Llewellyn,2003). Biting midges are flies belonging to the family Ceratopogonidae. There are around 6000 species in 125 genera world wide and more than 1000 known species in China. Four genera, Austroconops, Lasiohelea, Leptoconops and most importantly Culicoides, feed on blood of vertebrates including human. In Hong Kong, at least 57 species from 10 genera of biting midges have been recorded. Biting midges of genus Culicoides in the neighboring areas of Pakistan have hitherto been reported from Russian Central Asia (Gutsevich, 1973), Iran and Afganistan (Navai, 1977),India (Senand Das Gupta, 1959), South East Asia (Wirthand Hubert, 1989) and China (Lee,1988), but information of Pakistani Culicoides is approximately lacking except for some of the records by Navai (1977). The biting midges used in this study were collected by the light trap at Hunza, Gulmit, Mingora, Chilas, Kalam and Dir between 31 July and 12 August, 1987, by junior author. Specimens were examined and found 21 species including 3 new species.Holotypes and allotype of new species are deposited in National Science Museum (Natural History),Tokyo. Biting midges...
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...Electrophoresis of sample. 2. Preparation of membrane/blotting of gel. 3. Staining of nitrocellulose blot. 4. Primar y antibody reaction. 5. Color development. Preparation of Nitrocelluose Membrane Nitrocellulose membrane Separated Proteins Gelatin Primary antibody Secondary antibody (Color Development Solution) HRP catalyzes a conformational change in chloronaphthol PHLOEM (e.g. chloronaphthol; TMB) Fluorescent: secondary antibody conjugated with a light-emitting fluorochrome. Enzymatic: secondary antibody conjugated with a enzymes such as HRP. Other applications Diagnostics: HIV Confirmatory Assay HIV Confirmatory Assay Disease progression: Chagas Disease! Parasitic infectious disease of tropical America Disease progression: Chagas Disease! Parasitic infectious disease of tropical America immune response in conjunctiva ! & facial...
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...Case 8-4: Genzyme’s CSR Dilemma: How to Play its HAND 1. In your opinion, which of the three major HAND initiatives: TB, Malaria, or Chagas should Jim Geraghty recommend? Defend you answer by detailing how your choice is better than the other two. I think that Jim Geraghty should recommend the Malaria initiative. The Malaria initiative is the best business decision for Genzyme. There are 250 million Malaria cases every year, compared to that of 16-18 million cases of Chagas and 25 million cases of Tuberculosis. Even though Tuberculosis has more deaths per year at 1.5-2 million and could possibly be the best initiative to recommend, I still believe the Malaria initiative is the best option. Malaria is spread by Anopheles mosquitos and there is still a great need for a cure of Malaria in today’s world. In the case, Genzyme’s goal is to have the most impact possible on a deadly disease, while doing something that is within their capabilities. All three initiatives have a very important medical need, but Genzyme has the molecular knowledge to create a vaccine for Malaria. They have done a lot of research for Chagas also, but they would have to basically start from scratch if they were to go towards the Tuberculosis initiative. By going with the Malaria initiative, they would more than likely partner with Harvard, MMV, and ICGEB, which would be great for the research and development capabilities. Jim Geraghty should recommend the Malaria initiative to Henri Teermer 2. Taking the...
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...Adriana Ambari Writing 100-14 December 6th, 2012 Project 4 Human Trafficking: A Global Epidemic When Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1963, we thought this was the end to slavery, but the sad truth is that it is still occurring today all over the world. This form of modern day slavery is called human trafficking. The United Nations defines human trafficking as "The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation."(United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) Human trafficking is a global epidemic, which occurs everyday, in almost every single country in the world. It’s an international industry that is rapidly expanding. Patrick Belser of ILO has estimated human trafficking to be a $31.6 billion industry. This is second only to the drug trade. The 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report by the U.S. Department of State estimates that there are 12.3 million slaves being held captive around the world. This is second only to the drug trade. Globally 80% of human trafficking victims are women and 60% are children. In the minute it took you to read this paragraph two children have become victims to human trafficking. There...
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...who have very low quantity of melanin are very prone to develop this fatal skin tumor.Privilege to the black people who are safer than the whites because of high concentration of melanin in their melanocytes. But excess melanin(the red melanin found in the skin and hair) in the Blondes and Redheads can increase the susceptibility to skin cancer and magnify the damaging effect of UV-rays.Besides this, more melanin tends to make the skin of African-American and other people of different color more reactive to rash, scratch, pimple or inflammation.(Courtesy:-Dr.Susan Taylor in Brown Skin). Is there any alternative supplement of Melanin? Research has proved that Chaga mushroom(a fungus parasite on Birch and other Trees) support healthy levels of Melanin in the body. 4F1920B3-80B2-4EA5-BECC-820AAE35C2A0.jpeg image source (Chaga mushroom on the Birch tree) The fungus synthesizes high molecular weight, a polyphenolic chromogenic human-like complex compound whose properties are more alike melanin.Melanin from this fungus has strong antioxidant as well as gene protection effects.But its use as the anticancer medication is still under study. ...
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...Human Trafficking a Global Epidemic The Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1963 by Abraham Lincoln. Many enslaved Americans were thought to be freed. slavery still exist today all over the world. This form of modern day slavery is called human trafficking. The United Nations defines human trafficking as "The recruitment, transport, transfer, harboring of persons, by means of the threat or use of excessive force. Strong-arming a person against their will is abduction then to receive payments for the purpose of exploitation."(United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) is “Human trafficking”. Human Trafficking is a global epidemic, which occurs daily, in every country in the world. It’s an international industry that is a growing problem. (Patrick Belser) of ILO has estimated human trafficking to be a $31.6 billion industry. Human Trafficking is the second worst epidemic to the drug trade. The 2010 Trafficking Report by the (U.S. Department of State) estimates that there are 12.3 million people are being confined and held unwillingly around the world. Globally 80% of human trafficking victims are women and 60% are children. Many articles have shown that males are not exempt from trafficking. Human trafficking, is usually a forced act of a person, performing sex 3acts or hard labor in a sweat shop. Some victims agree to be trafficked in order to repay a debt for being brought to the U.S.A. others are transported...
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...Health Care Bolivia has one of the highest infant deaths in South America. Approximately sixty-eight and seventy-five per one thousand live births. The biggest causes of infant and child deaths are due to respiratory infections, diarrhea, and malnutrition. Thirty percent of children under the age of three suffer chronic malnutrition. Furthermore, "among Bolivian women of child-bearing age, about 12 percent are so short (less than 145 cm) that they are at risk of having an underweight baby; and 27 percent of women of child-bearing age are so anemic that they will probably pass iron deficiency to the unborn child…lack of sanitation and inappropriate feeding of children under two are the principal causes of malnutrition in Bolivia" (World Bank,...
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...events that have each affected more than a million people. The floods destroy crops and contaminate ground water leading to both famine and drought. In some parts of Africa fighting is being fuelled by the effects of climate change. The Darfur conflict began over tribal rivalries but today it is more about gaining control of the remaining agricultural land as the surrounding area becomes desert. The bacteria that cause diseases thrive in warmer and damp conditions. Climate change leads to both increased temperatures and increased precipitation, thus providing perfect breeding grounds. Many disease vectors are temperature dependent and as the isotherms spread, so too are the diseases. Amongst the diseases known to have spread are chagas disease, lymphatic, dengue fever, pneumonic plague, hantavirus, viral encephalitis and malaria. The World Health Organisation has worked out that 150,000 people die each year as a consequence of climate change and some 5,000,000 contract diseases and illnesses. The overwhelming majority of these occur in Africa and...
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...person is bitten a large oval lump may arise followed by itching, or no reaction or a delayed reaction may be experienced. The bite may be mistaken for a mosquito bite or even a flea bite. Because the bite reaction is similar to that caused by other insects, bed bug infestations are difficult to diagnose correctly when bites are first experienced. This allows the bed bug population to increase and possibly disperse before the culprit is identified.[2] o Bedbugs seem to possess all of the necessary prerequisites for being capable of passing diseases from one host to another. There is the possibility that the saliva of the bedbugs may cause anaphylactic shock as well as anemia in a some people. In addition bedbugs can also transmit Chagas disease as well as Hepatitis B.[1] SLEEPWELL BIOSENSOR o This biosensor is in the form of a sheet that can be spread over the mattress at all times. o It will be able to diagnose the presence of even a single bed bug. o This is done through the detection of its feces. o The picture shows a mattress with bedbugs with some fecal matter thrown in for good measure. o Bed bugs usually eliminate much of the water from the blood meal in the form of feces. These feces should contain intact or partially digested human hemoglobin molecules as well as other blood proteins. o The biosensor will have monoclonal antibodies/polyclonal antibodies bound to the sheet. o...
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...Infectious diseases remain a major cause of illness, disability, and death. Vaccination is a highly effective way of preventing certain infectious diseases since it induces protective immunity against such infectious agents. A traveler’s risk for acquiring infectious diseases is determined by various factors, including immunization status, location of travel, season, duration of exposure, occupational and recreational activities while traveling, as well as local rate of virus transmission at the time of travel. However, hand washing the oldest and still the most effective way of preventing diseases must be practiced by all travelers irrespective of which country you are traveling to. Some of these diseases include food and water borne, vector borne, blood borne, zoonosis, air borne, disease transmitted from soil and sexually transmitted diseases. Food and water borne diseases such as hepatitis A (fecal-oral route), typhoid fever and cholera, and diarrhea transmitted by the consumption of contaminated food and drink water or beverage during traveling. For example, drinking water contaminated with raw sewage, eating shell fish (such as oysters and clams) that have been harvested from contaminated water, eating raw fruits or vegetables washed in contaminated water, and swimming pools that aren't properly disinfected. Travelers must avoid consumption of potentially contaminated food, drink and drinking-water. Oral rehydration salts should be carried to combat dehydration in case of...
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...A, C, D, E, K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Iodine, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, etc.) + 12 Whole Fruit Juice Blend (Cranberry, Blueberry, Strawberry, Blackberry, Bilberry, Cherry, Plum, Apricot, Papaya,Orange, Grape, Pineapple) + 12 Whole Vegetables Juice Blend (Parsley, Kale, Spinach, Wheat Grass, Brussels, Asparagus, Garlic, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Beet, Carrot, Cabbage) + 14 Green Foods / Spirulina Blend (Spirulina, Alfalfa, Barley grass, Wheat grass, Lemon grass, Dandelion, Melissa, Nettle, Blessed Thistle, Plantain, Cilantro, Blue and Green Algae, Chlorella) + 12 Organic Mushrooms (Cordyceps, Reishi, Shitake, Hiratake, Maitake, yambushitake, Himematsutake, Kawaratake, Chaga, Zhu Ling, Agarikon, Mesima) + 18 Amino Acids + 12 Specialty Nutrients + 12 Digestive Enzymes + 10 Essential Fatty Acids + 5 Anti-Aging/ Anti-Oxidant Enhancer (Cystein HCl (98%), Quercitin, Concentrated Grape Skin Extract, Green Tea (95 % EGC Polyphenols), Co-Enzyme Q10) (Japanese knotweed, Premiu+ 4...
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